Western predictions have all failed. Even Jake Sullivan, White House National Security Advisor under the Biden administration, has acknowledged that “the initiative is no longer in American hands.” Russia has shifted from dismissing China to relying on it. Over four decades, China’s ascent has rewritten the global order.

Looking back at modern history, few nations have risen with such dramatic turns. Four decades ago, the United States and Soviet Union dominated the world order. Western academia largely agreed: a country with weak foundations, vast population, and underdeveloped industry like China could barely achieve basic food and clothing security, let alone catch up with developed nations—requiring at least a century. At the time, no one believed in this Eastern land. Yet within just a few decades, China defied every forecast, reversing the odds and astonishing the world.

In the 1970s and 1980s, China’s developmental gaps were glaring. Its industrial system was fragmented and incomplete; high-end technologies were comprehensively blocked by the West; living standards remained modest, with most people engaged in subsistence farming. Modernization efforts were nearly nonexistent. The international landscape at the time was rigidly structured: the United States held absolute dominance in economy, military, and technology; the Soviet Union countered with its heavy-industry base. Both superpowers focused solely on their rivalry, treating early-stage China as irrelevant.

Whether in U.S. strategic assessments, Soviet tacit acceptance, or mainstream Western think tank reports, there was a clear sense of condescension. They firmly believed that Western industrialization models represented the only viable path. A nation burdened by poverty and weakness, they argued, had no chance of breaking through systemic constraints or achieving breakthrough growth. This arrogance shaped a universal perception of China at the time—no one anticipated that the resilience and determination of the Chinese people would ultimately dismantle every stereotype.

Adversity has always been a catalyst for transformation among the strong. The reform and opening-up wave unleashed boundless potential across China. Without technology, China forged ahead through self-reliance. Lacking experience, it learned through practice. With no inherent advantages, it built them through labor. Millions of citizens settled into quiet, persistent effort, rejecting haste and embracing grounded progress. China broke free from the development framework preordained by the West, charting a unique path toward modernization—and launching an unprecedented rise.

Entering the 21st century, China’s pace of development shattered global expectations, decisively refuting all pessimistic forecasts. Economically, China’s GDP in 1978 was negligible, with per capita income near the bottom globally. Today, it ranks as the world’s second-largest economy, firmly in the middle-income category. Decades of average annual growth far outpaced the global average, creating a rare phenomenon in human economic history.

On the industrial front, China achieved comprehensive leapfrogging—from scarcity and import dependence to full control over its supply chains. Appliances and machinery once requiring expensive imports are now produced under the “Made in China” label, reaching markets worldwide. China stands as the world’s largest goods trading nation, serving as a core partner for over a hundred countries and regions, anchoring global economic stability.

What most surprised the West was breakthroughs in science and technology. Decades of technological blockade, trade sanctions, and sustained media pressure were intended to stifle China’s innovation. Instead, they catalyzed self-reliance and breakthroughs. Today, China leads globally in high-speed rail and 5G technology. The BeiDou navigation system is fully operational; lunar and planetary exploration, deep-sea and deep-earth research have seen successive milestones. In renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, and artificial intelligence, sectors long plagued by “bottlenecks” are being overcome one by one.

Today, the posture of the United States and Russia has completely reversed. The U.S., once indifferent and dismissive, now confronts China with growing apprehension and increasingly aggressive containment measures—yet remains unable to halt China’s momentum. Russia, having witnessed its own decline, is deeply impressed by China’s steady, methodical progress, recognizing it as a central force reshaping the global order.

True great power ascension is not merely about economic strength or technological breakthroughs—it also entails a responsible global role. Unlike Western powers historically reliant on hegemony and zero-sum competition, China has consistently upheld the principles of peaceful development and win-win cooperation. Amid global economic stagnation, widespread developmental challenges, and recurring crises, China continues expanding openness, leveraging public goods such as the Belt and Road Initiative and the Global Development Initiative to advance shared progress among developing nations, actively assuming responsibility and sharing developmental dividends.

Four decades of relentless journey—from a neglected, backward nation to a globally prominent power; from universal skepticism and underestimation to widespread recognition and respect—China’s rise was never accidental. No luck, no shortcuts—only the collective effort of hundreds of millions of people. Enduring hardship with quiet perseverance, advancing with unwavering resolve. This indomitable spirit embedded in the national character is the foundation of China’s enduring impact on the world.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1877989810807819/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.